Continued high student numbers – marked increase for Pre-Primary and Early-Primary Degree Programme
Interest in studying to become a teacher remains high. The Pre-Primary and Early-Primary Degree Programme even sets a record, with 160 students starting in the 2023 autumn semester (previous year: 125). This corresponds to an increase of almost 30 per cent compared to last year. Enrolments in the Lower Secondary Degree Programme remain almost unchanged at 202 (previous year: 209). For primary education, the number of new students fell to 470 (previous year: 551), however, this degree programme remains the most popular of all. These figures mean that a total of 832 students were newly enrolled at the PH Zurich for compulsory schooling degree programmes (previous year: 885).
Part-time courses are popular with students
This year, 404 students are starting an Upper Secondary Degree Programme and other subject-specific and level-specific courses (previous year: 457 students). A total of 1236 students will begin their training at PH Zurich in the autumn semester 2023. Last year there were 1342 new students. The total number of students remains almost unchanged at a high level of around 3900 students.
Rector Heinz Rhyn is particularly pleased about the increased figures for the Pre-Primary and Early-Primary Degree Programme, as the need for teachers at these levels is still high: “We introduced a new part-time degree programme here at the beginning of the autumn semester. This offer has been met with a great response. We will therefore continue to expand our part-time degree programmes.” The Pre-Primary and Early-Primary Degree Programme had been promoted with a special campaign in recent months. This investment seems to have paid off, according to Heinz Rhyn.
On the decline in new enrolments for primary education, he says: “There is currently a shortage of skilled workers in many professional sectors. This can lead to potential students choosing a different career.” However, the total number of students is still high, which means that PH Zurich will continue to contribute to all compulsory schooling degree programmes to be able to meet the need for teachers in the future.
New students in 2023 by degree programme
| Degree programme | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Primary and Early-Primary | 160 | 125 |
| Lower Secondary | 470 | 551 |
| Total compulsory schooling degree programmes | 202 | 209 |
| Total compulsory schooling degree programmes | 832 | 885 |
| Upper Secondary | 292 | 259 |
| Master’s Degree Programmes Subject-Specific Education | 17 | 41 |
| Degree Programmes in Additional Teaching Subjects and Level | 95 | 157 |
| Total | 1236 | 1342 |
The figures correspond to enrolments as of 1 September 2023. The final number of students will be determined in October.
Further information
Available: Thursday, 14 September 2023, 1 pm to 2 pm